[Quick Summary: David and his sister Jennifer, both 1990s teens, struggle to adjust when they are actually zapped into Pleasantville, a 1950s black and white tv show.]
This is a fairy tale (it says so on the cover page).
It's also a surreal* tale where a remote control zaps David and Jennifer into a tv show (where they are now "Bud" and "Mary Sue").
So why does it remain grounded and real?
Perhaps one reason is that the problems are very recognizable and true to life, despite the crazy situation.
For example, in the scene below:
- In real life, Jennifer was minutes away from a hot date. But now she is stuck in this tv world and her life is ruined. This is surreal.
- However, the problem is real, i.e., sister blames brother.
- Also the solution to the problem is real, i.e., Jennifer's head is turned by very normal, very fickle teen age hormones. (Though Biff is not real, but you get the idea.)
JENNIFER: Oh God. We are. We're stuck We're trapped in like...Nerdville.
DAVID: Just for a little while.
JENNIFER: It's not fair. (despairing) I always knew that you'd pay a price for this. I did. I mean, like, I knew you couldn't be hopelessly geekridden for this long without suffering some, really tragic consequences...(her voice starts to waver) But I've put a lot of time into being you know..."popular" and I just don't think it's fair that the same thing should happen to me...
BOY'S VOICE (O.S.): Hi Mary Sue.
Jennifer looks to see a strapping blonde seventeen year old driving by in his convertible. He is extremely handsome with Jack Armstrong features and a letterman sweater. Biff Martin slows to a crawl at the curb.
BIFF: What's all the commotion? Where's the cat?
They glance over at the fireman who is climbing back into the front of the hook and ladder with the little kitty in his arms. He flashes Jennifer a big Pepsodent smile.
BIFF: Well...Guess I'll see ya later, Mary Sue.
He takes off down the street in his really keen convertible. Jennifer watches him go.
JENNIFER (still staring): Who's that?
DAVID: Biff Martin. Captain of the football team.
JENNIFER: Does he --you know...like me?
DAVID: As a matter of face, he does. Yeah.
CLOSE UP. JENNIFER.
She sniffles for a moment then looks off down the road where his convertible has disappeared.
JENNIFER: Hunh.
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: The audience must believe the relationship dynamics... even if they're about a girl falling for a handsome face (realistic) of a fictional character (surreal) and forgets the guy at home (realistic).
Pleasantville (1998)(5/1/96 draft)
by Gary Ross
*Surreal = (adj.) having the disorienting, hallucinatory quality of a dream; unreal; fantastic.
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